What options do I have?

Outercourse

Outercourse refers to sexual activity that does NOT include vaginal intercourse. For some, it also means avoiding anal or oral sexual contact. It may include kissing, rubbing, mutual stimulation or the use of sex toys. As long as there is not penis/vaginal contact, it can be considered a birth control method. Remember, that it does not protect against STD’s!

Can I get tested?

UTI’s are usually diagnosed by examining your urine in the laboratory. The sample can also be sent out for a culture (to determine what bacteria are present). Certain STD’s can be diagnosed with a urine sample as well.

How is it treated?

Most UTI’s can be treated with a single course of antibiotics.

What else do I need to know?

Testicular Self Exam

The testicles are the small round glands in the scrotum where sperm is produced. Men should check their testes for lumps or growths. This is most easily done in the shower when your body is warm and soapy. Knowing how all these parts feel will help keep you from confusing them with cancerous lumps.

How to do Testicular Self-Exam

Move your penis out of the way and look at your testicles in a mirror. Check for any swelling or bumps. Make sure that each of your testicles is about the same size as the other. It is normal for one to be slightly larger than the other.

Hold one testicle with your index and middle fingers underneath and your thumb on top. The testicle is normally oval, smooth, and firm.

Feel for lumps by rolling it gently between your thumb and fingers. Note any changes in size, shape, or feel.

Check out the epididymis — a soft, tightly coiled tube in which sperm mature — along the top and back of each testicle. It may feel a little bumpier than the testicle.

Also feel the spaghetti-like tube called the vas deferens that goes up from the epididymis. It should feel like a smooth cord.

Repeat the exam on your other testicle.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 20-34. If found and treated early, it is usually curable! The most common symptom is a bump on the surface of the testes which can be felt through the skin. Other symptoms may include a dull ache in the area, swelling of the testes, or a feeling of heaviness in the lower pelvis. See your health care provider if you notice any unusual swelling or lumps.

Sexual Assault

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, you have rights! You have the right to a comprehensive medical and forensic examination performed by a specially-trained medical professional in a safe and confidential environment. This exam may include treatment for prevention of STDs and pregnancy, treatment of injuries, and collection of forensic evidence. Even if you’re unsure whether or not you’d like to report the sexual assault to the police, you are still entitled to this exam!